By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

WEST CHESTER, Ohio — They were questioned about the five factors in soil formation. Some had to tackle watershed questions as they pertained to agriculture. Many were asked to describe the effective predator defense mechanism found in the Pickerel frog.

This spectrum of questions and more were asked of 70 Ohio high school teams that participated in the annual Ohio Envirothon. The Ohio Envirothon was held in five areas in the state with participation from most all Soil and Water Conservation Districts in the state. The top four teams from the five area Envirothons qualify for state competition, with that overall winner heading to nationals.

“The Envirothon is a competitive, academic outdoor event for high school students,” said Amy Pond, Education Specialist with the Warren County Soil & Water Conservation District. “The goal of the program is to promote greater awareness of natural resources and environmental issues, to heighten understanding of the interrelationships between plants, animals, humans and the environment, and to interest students to explore natural resource environmental careers.”

Students were tested on issues regarding aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife and current environmental issues. Test questions and study material for the Envirothon are prepared and assembled by natural resource professionals from a variety of agencies, organizations, universities and businesses. These individuals also staff the various resource stations at each competition.

In-class curriculum is combined with hands-on field experiences to demonstrate the role people have in important environmental issues.

“The Envirothon is designed to take youthful curiosity one step farther, getting the student involved and educated,” Pond said. “The event helps push the minds of young people to realize the interrelationship of all living things and look toward the future of resource management.”

Teams consist of five students, all from the same high school. An adult advisor may accompany the team, but is not permitted to assist the team during competition.

The Ohio Envirothon is financed by grants, donations from businesses and through contributions from the Don Rehl Memorial Envirothon Fund.